Page 78 of Forever My Siren Luna

My father laughed, but I just rolled my eyes.

I waved at Cedric, who was also in the water, talking to a woman I have been introduced to several times now. Lillian, I believe her name is. She is one of the higher ranked knights.

“We are on our way to the western shores to see if we can discover the happenings of Wayne’s pack, as of late, but I wanted to see you and give you something before I left.” My father reached down, resting a hand on my pendant around my throat, his eyes and fingers erupting with glowing magic. I feel the pulse of it absorbing into the pendant, restoring it to how it once was.

I gasp when he is down, my throat catching from the feeling of the magic surrounding me once again.

“I wanted to do that sooner, but, given what happened before, I wanted to ensure you wouldn’t run off the moment your mate upset you again.” My father gave me a leveled stare, much like I imagine other fathers might do if they are softly chastising their children.

“I’m not running away again,” I reassured him. “I don’t think I could leave him. Not now.”

“I know,” my father gave me a tender smile. “I once had my doubts, but I can see the authenticity of your bond now.” His green eyes move to my neck. “It won’t be long now,” he grins knowingly, making Cherum snort.

Did everyone have a meeting before I got up today to plan out how to embarrass me over and over again about the lack of a mate mark on my neck? Jeez. Even Val is snorting in my head.

Dad hugged me, telling me to be safe as I do the same. I know my uncle is no match for a siren king, which is why my uncle chose to do away with me in my first life instead of risking my father finding out the abuse me and my mother endured. It’s still unsafe, and there is always a risk, so I can’t help but to feel a pang in my heart as I tell him bye.

It’s just for a little while. He will be back soon.

“Your necklace is connected to me again. And Cedric will be with you. He can call for me if you need anything. Do not hesitate to tell me, my daughter.”

“I know,” I grinned, trying to hide the emotions welling up in me. “I’ll be fine. Just come back safely please.”

With a warm hand on my head and a loving smile, my father receded back into the water, and he and his knights headed out for the sea to make the journey to the shores of my uncle’s pack.

“Your father will be fine,” Cherum rested his hand on my shoulder, a warm bout of his comfort spreading over me. “He is the most powerful being in the sea.”

“I know,” I murmured. “I don’t know why I feel so unsettled right now watching him leave. It’s not like I won’t see him again.” It feels that way for some reason. Like this was a final goodbye, even though I know it wasn’t. He will be right back in a week’s time. I’m sure.

When they are no longer in sight, Cedric sighed, then pulls himself up on the dock, shifting back to his human form.

“That woman can nag the ears off a guppy. I thought my ears were going to bleed,” he complained, slipping on a pair of pants.

"Guppies don't have ears," Cherum snorted.

"My point exactly," Cedric muttered.

“What did you do this time?” I smirked.

“Absolutely nothing,” he turned up his nose. “She just thinks I’m not going to do something. Apparently, I’ve been spotted mating in the sea instead of watching you like I am supposed to be doing.”

“Too much information, there,” Cherum grumbled.

Cedric snorted. “She said you were one of the ones that complained, you red-nosed dairy-eating bastard.”

“Oh, yeah,” Cherum rubbed his red beard. “I was more venting than complaining. Children play in these waters.”

“Not before dawn!” Cedric argued.

“Well, I pissed in these waters before dawn, and I didn’t appreciate seeing the bare ass of my life-long friend as he’s balls deep in your pooter, you damned fish.”

Oh my goodness, I can’t take any more of this discussion.

I quickly walked ahead of both of them, leaving them to argue on their own. Now every time I go for a swim I’m going to think of either Cedric and Meldec doing unmentionable things in the water, or I’m going to remember Cherum peed in it.

As I rounded the corner of one of the outbuildings, heading back to the training field, I almost ran right into someone.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was-”